Field coil air vents for dynamoelectric machine

ABSTRACT

A main field coil for use in a dynamoelectric machine has a support having a predetermined geometry and a solid strand electrical wire with a circular cross section wound about the support. Coilhead (end turn) air vents of predetermined width are interspaced in the wound electrical wire. A structurally rigid removable pin has a grooved portion for receiving the wire and holding it as the air vents are formed, the pin being located at least partially in the air vents. The removable pin is removed from the air vents after the electrical wire is wound about the support.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 352,447, filed 02/25/82, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to main field coils for use in dynamoelectric machines and in particular to main field coils having air vents, for use with synchronous generators for A/C power generation. Typically the main field coils have been wound using multiple strands of small size wire connected in parallel. For ventilation and cooling purposes open areas of air vents are formed in the coil as the wire is wound. The air vents are formed by placing temporary or permanent spacers against the wiring and then winding more wire about the spacers. These types of field coils have several disadvantages. The use of multiple wires of a small size is very costly and the probability is very high that shorted turns will occur due to crossovers of the wire under winding pressure. Furthermore the resulting coil is not very rigid and may be subject to deformation. Because of the small wire size it is difficult to produce uniform field coils and the heat transfer characteristics of the coil is not very good, because of the multiple layers of insulation.

The use of large size single solid wire such as round magnet wire has been utilized in the winding of main field coils. However it has been found impractical to form air vents in such coils due to the high winding tension which must be used to form the solid strand wire. This results in high wiring temperatures when in use, because of the lack of air vents. For the reasons given above, it is more desirable to use a solid strand wire for the main field coil rather than multiple small strands of wire.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a main field coil for use in a dynamoelectric machine. The main field coil has a support having a predetermined geometry and a solid strand electrical wire wound about the support. Coil head air vents of predetermined width are interspaced in the wound electrical wire. A structurally rigid removable means for forming the air vents is located at least partially in the air vents. The removable means is removed from the air vents after the electrical wire is wound about the support. The present specification describes and claims the apparatus and a method for forming the air vents in the main field coil.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved main field coil for use in a dynamoelectric machine.

It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a main field coil which has improved heat transfer characteristics and thereby operates at cooler temperatures.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a main field coil that has improved reliability and lower manufacturing cost.

It is a further object to provide a main field coil which is free standing and structurally rigid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularly in the appended claims. The invention together with further objects and advantages may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a synchronous generator utilizing the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the FIG. 1 apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an end view of a support used in the synchronous generator and illustrating the structurally rigid removable means;

FIGS. 4 and 5 show two parts of the structurally rigid removable means;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the device which forms air vents in the main field coil;

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 schematically illustrate one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 10A, 10, 11 and 12 schematically illustrate an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Whereas the invention may be implemented in dynamoelectric machines of various types, it is preferably embodied in a machine of the nature shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The machine shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a synchronous generator for A/C power generation which has a main field coil. The main field coil is formed with large solid strand round magnet wire 20 with coilhead (of end turn) air vents 22. The wire 20 is wound about a support 24. Adjustable wedges 26 provide structural support to the main field coil. Electrical wires 28 provide electrical connection to the field coils.

The use of large solid strand wire permits precision layer winding, resulting in a uniform product. The formed coil head air vents provide ventilation and cooling for the coil, and the reduced number of layers of insulation provide better heat transfer characteristics. The novel main field coil provides a significant advance over the previously known field coils and methods of winding field coils. Heretofore, main field coils having air vents have been wound using multiple strands of wire connected in parallel with the maximum diameter of such strands being approximately 0.08 inches. Any attempts to wind main field coils including air vents and using wire strands having a diameter significantly larger than 0.08 inches have proved to be impractical since the high winding tension required has introduced unacceptable deformities into such coils. However, by employing the techniques of the present invention, it has become possible to manufacture main field coils having air vents and also using solid strand wire having a diameter equal to or greater than 0.10 inches. Field coils employing the techniques of the present invention have been constructed utilizing wire having a diameter as large as 0.144 inches.

In general, the present invention is concerned with the manufacture of a main field coil for use in a dynamoelectric machine. The main field coil comprises a support having a predetermined geometry, a solid strand electrical wire wound about the support, coilhead air vents of predetermined width interspaced in the wound electrical wire, and a structurally rigid removable means for forming the air vents. The structurally rigid removable means is located at least partially in the air vents and forms the air vent. It is removed from the air vent after all the structural wire is wound about the support.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the support 24. The wire 20 is wound in channel 30 of the support 24. FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are perspective views of the parts of the structurally rigid removable means, which is shown attached to the support 24 in FIG. 3.

The structurally rigid removable means comprises a temporary spacing means for forming the air vents and a temporary holding means for positioning the spacing means. The temporary holding means comprises first and second support blocks 32 and 34 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The first support block 32 has two parallel grooves 36 which align with two square posts 38 which are part of the support 24. The second support block 34 has a body portion 40 and two rods 42 attached to the ends of the body portion 40. The rods 42 fit into holes 44 in the support 24.

The temporary spacing means shown in FIG. 6 comprises a spacing pin 46 having first and second ends 48 and 49. The pin 46 has a substantially circular cross section. The pin 46 also has a notched portion 50 extending a predetermined length between the first and second ends 48 and 49. The notches 52 in the notched portion 50 substantially match the diameter of the wire 20. The notches 52 may completely wrap around the pin 46 or they may wrap around only a predetermined distance.

The first and second support blocks 32 and 34 have pin receiving holes 54 which are in alignment when the first and second blocks 32 and 34 are attached to the support 24. As shown in FIG. 3, the spacing pins 46 are inserted through the pin receiving holes 54.

A first predetermined amount of wire 56 is wound on the support 24, after which the spacing pins 46 are inserted through the pin receiving holes 54. Then, a second predetermined amount of wire 58 is wound about the support 24 and the spacing pins 46. FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view illustrating the windings and spacing pins. In FIG. 7, a first predetermined amount of wire 56 is wound on the support 24. Spacing pin 46 is placed through the receiving holes 54 and is located a predetermined distance 59 from the first predetermined amount of wire 56. A second predetermined amount of wire 58 is then wound about the support 24 and the spacing pins 46. As shown in FIG. 7, more spacing pins and another amount of wire may be added to form a second air vent.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate how the spacing pins 46 may be removed after the wire 20 has been wound. As shown in the FIGS. 8 and 9 embodiment, the spacing pins 46 have a flat portion 60 extending the entire length of the pins 46. The spacing pins 46 are located a predetermined distance 59 above the first predetermined amount of wire 56 and near the corners of the wound wire 20. The second predetermined amount of wire 58 is wound across the spacing pins 46 and engage the notches 52 in the notched portion 50. Since the wire 20 is a large solid strand round magnet wire, it is necessary to wind it about the support 24 and the spacing pins 46 under about 500 lbs. of tension. Therefore, when the second predetermined amount of wire 58 engages the notches 52 of the spacing pins 46, it is not possible to slide the spacing pins 46 out of the pin receiving hole 54 without damaging the wire 20. However, by rotating the spacing pins 46 approximately 90°, the flat portion 60 replaces the notched portion 50 and the pins 46 can then be removed from the pin receiving holes 54 as shown in FIG. 9.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 10 to 12. In this embodiment, the pin receiving holes 54 in the first and second support blocks 32 and 34 are substantially larger in diameter than the diameter of the spacing pin 46. The temporary holding means further comprises conical sections 62 having a first end 64 substantially smaller in diameter than the diameter of the pin receiving hole 54 and a second end 66 substantially larger in diameter than the diameter of the receiving hole 54. The conical sections 62 also have a central aperture 68 of approximately the same diameter as the diameter of the spacing pins 46 such that each end of the spacing pin 46 is located in a conical section 62 and the first end 64 of the conical section 62 is located in a receiving hole 54 in the support blocks 32 and 34. As shown in FIG. 11, once again first and second predetermined amounts of wire 56 and 58 are wound about the support 24 and the spacing pins 46. The second predetermined amount of wire 58 engages the notches 52 of the spacing pins 46. The spacing pins 46 are located a predetermined distance 59 from the first predetermined amount of wire 56.

In order to disengage the notches 52 from the second predetermined amount of wire 58, the conical sections 56 are loosened and removed from the pin receiving holes 54 and the ends of the spacing pins 46. This allows the spacing pins 46 to move down and away from the second predetermined amount of wire 58 as shown in FIG. 12. With the notches 52 now disengaged, the pins 46 may be pulled out of the pin receiving holes 54 leaving the formed air vents. Once the pins 46 have been removed, the first and second support blocks 32 and 34 are removed from the support 24, leaving the formed field coil with the air vents.

In general, the method for forming the above described apparatus comprises providing a support having a predetermined geometry, winding a solid strand wire about the support, placing at least one structurally rigid removable means on the support and across the wire after winding a first predetermined amount of wire, winding a second predetermined amount of wire about the support and over a portion of the removable means to form at least one coilhead air vent, and removing the structurally rigid removable means leaving the air vents.

In the above described method, placing at least one structurally rigid removable means comprises attaching first and second support blocks to the support on either side for an area in which the wire is wound, after which pin receiving holes are provided in the support blocks and the pin receiving holes in the first support block are in alignment with the pin receiving holes in the second support block. A spacing pin having first and second ends is located in the pin receiving holes in the first and second support block. The spacing pin has a substantially circular cross section and a notched portion extending a predetermined length between the first and second ends. Finally, the spacing pin is positioned near a corner of the wound wire and spaced a predetermined distance from the first predetermined amount of wire and oriented such that the notched portion will contact a second predetermined amount of wire.

In a first embodiment, the spacing pin has a flat portion extending the entire length of the pin and the spacing pin diameter is approximately equal to the pin receiving hole diameter. Removing the structurally rigid removable means comprises removing the support pin by rotating the pin approximately 90°, thereby disengaging the notched portion from the second predetermined amount of wire. The pin is then slid out of the formed air vent. The first and second support blocks are then removed from the support.

In another alternative embodiment, placing at least one structurally rigid removable means further comprises providing a conical section having a first end smaller in diameter than the pin receiving hole diameter and a second end larger in diameter than the pin receiving hole diameter. The conical section also has a central aperture of approximately the same diameter as the spacing pin diameter. The conical sections are placed with the first end first on each end of the spacing pin with the first end located in the receiving hole of the support block. Removing the structurally rigid removable means comprises removing the conical sections, thereby removing tension from the spacing pins and allowing the spacing pins to move away from the second predetermined amount of wire, thereby disengaging the notched portion. The pins are then slid out of the formed air vents and the first and second support blocks are removed from the supports.

The invention is not limited to the particular details of the apparatus depicted and other modifications and applications are contemplated. Certain other changes may be made in the above described apparatus without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention herein involved. It is intended, therefore, that the subject matter in the above depiction shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 

What is claimed is:
 1. In a dynamoelectric machine having a main field coil, the main field coil comprising:a support having a predetermined geometry, a solid strand electrical wire wound about said support to form a coil of wire, coil head air vents of predetermined width interspaced in said wound electrical wire in the head of said coil, means for forming said air vents, means for temporarily supporting the forming means at least partially in said air vents, said forming means having means to hold successive turns of said electrical wire parallel to each other as said wire is wound about said support so that said coil is free from cross-overs, and means to remove said forming means from said coil head air vents by separating the forming means from said temporary support means.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said forming means comprises a temporary spacing means for receiving and spacing the wire.
 3. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said pin receiving holes in said first and second support blocks are substantially larger in diameter than said spacing pin diameter and wherein said temporary support means further comprises conical sections having a first end substantially smaller in diameter than said pin receiving hole diameter and a second end substantially larger in diameter than said receiving hole diameter, said conical sections also having a central aperture of approximately the same diameter as said spacing pin diameter such that each end of said spacing pin may be located in one of said conical sections and said first end of said conical sections may be located in one of said receiving holes in said support block.
 4. The apparatus defined in claim 3 wherein said spacing pin is removed from said field coil by first removing said conical sections from said ends of said spacing pins and from said receiving holes in said support blocks allowing said spacing pin to move away from said second predetermined amount of wire thereby disengaging said notched portion, and then by sliding said pin out of said formed air vent.
 5. In a dynamoelectric machine having a main field coil, said main field coil comprising;a support having a predetermined geometry, a solid strand electrical wire wound about said support, coil head air vents of predetermined width interspaced in said wound electrical wire, first and second support blocks having a predetermined number of pin receiving holes, said support blocks being temporarily attached to said support on either side of an area in which said wire is wound, and at least one spacing pin having first and second ends and a substantially circular cross section with a flat portion extending the entire length of said pin and also having a notched portion opposite said flat portion and extending a predetermined length between said first and second ends, wherein said notches in said notched portion substantially match the diameter of said wire, said pin receiving holes being in alignment such that said spacing pin may be inserted through said holes and held in place while said wire is wound about said support and said spacing pin, said spacing pin being located near a corner of said wound wire and spaced a predetermined distance from a first predetermined amount of wire with said notched portion in contact with a second predetermined amount of wire, wherein said spacing pin is removed from the field coil by rotating said pin approximately 90° thereby disengaging said notched portion from said second predetermined amount of wire and sliding said pin out of said formed air vent and said pin receiving holes.
 6. In a dynamoelectric machine having a main field coil, said main field coil comprising:a support having a predetermined geometry, a solid strand electrical wire wound about said support, coil head air vents of predetermined width interspaced in said wound electrical wire, first and second support blocks having a predetermined number of pin receiving holes, said support blocks being temporarily attached to said support on either side of an area in which said wire is wound, at least one spacing pin for forming said air vents and having first and second ends and a substantially circular cross section, and also having a notched portion extending a predetermined length between said first and second ends, wherein said notches in said notched portion substantially match the diameter of said wire, and conical sections having a first end substantially smaller in diameter than said pin receiving hole diameter and a second end substantially larger in diameter than said receiving hole diameter, said pin receiving holes in said first and second support blocks being substantially larger in diameter than the diameter of said spacing pin, said conical sections also having a central aperture of approximately the same diameter as said spacing pin diameter such that each end of said spacing pin is located in a conical section and said first end of said conical section is located in a receiving hole in said support block, wherein said spacing pin is located near a corner of said wound wire and spaced a predetermined distance from a first predetermined amount of wire with said notched portion in contact with a second predetermined amount of wire and wherein said spacing pin is removed from said field coil by first removing said conical sections from said ends of said spacing pins and from said receiving holes in said support blocks allowing said spacing pin to move away from said second predetermined amount of wire thereby disengaging said notched portion, and then by sliding said pin out of said formed air vent.
 7. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said temporary spacing means comprises at least one spacing pin having a substantially circular cross section, said wire holding means comprising a notched portion extending a predetermined portion of the length of said pin, wherein said notches in said notched portion substantially match the diameter of said wire.
 8. The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said removing means includes a flat portion extending substantially the length of said notched portion of said pin and wherein said spacing pin is located near a corner of said wound wire and spaced a predetermined distance from a first predetermined amount of wire with said notched portion in contact with a second predetermined amount of wire and wherein said spacing pin is removed from the field coil by rotating said pin approximately 90° thereby disengaging said notched portion from said second predetermined amount of wire, and aligning said flat portion with said second predetermined amount of wire, and sliding said pin out of said formed air vent and said temporary support means.
 9. The apparatus defined in claim 7 wherein said temporary support means comprises first and second support blocks having a predetermined number of pin receiving holes, said support blocks being temporarily attached to said support on either side of an area in which said wire is wound, and wherein said pin receiving holes are in alignment such that said temporary spacing means may be inserted through said holes and held in place while said wire is wound about said support and said temporary spacing means.
 10. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said solid strand wire forms a rigid, free-standing coil.
 11. The apparatus defined in claim 10 wherein the coil includes a first portion of wire spaced from a second portion of wire, at least one of said portions having more than one layer, said second layers comprising multiple turns wherein substantially all of said second layer turns are individually nested between successive turns of their associated first layer.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the coil includes a third portion of wire, each portion being spaced one from the other, each of said portions leaving two layers, said second layers each comprising multiple turns wherein substantially all of said second layer turns are individually nested between successive turns of their associated first layer. 